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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 06:57 PM
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Default E85??

I just went into my local auto store to buy octane boost for my 67 with 11:1 compression. The guy told me to use E85 fuel as it's sold down the street. Anyone doing this? Does it help? Does it hurt?
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 07:21 PM
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I would not even think about runing that in my old car. Does more harm then good on your carb and rubber gas lines
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by emdoller
I just went into my local auto store to buy octane boost for my 67 with 11:1 compression. The guy told me to use E85 fuel as it's sold down the street. Anyone doing this? Does it help? Does it hurt?
E85 in El Dorado Hills? Really? Remind me to not fill up down there the next time I come down out of the Sierra.

OK, more seriously, I wouldn't put E85 in any of my cars, particularly not the older ones. The fuel systems have to be specifically engineered to withstand the effects of ethanol at that concentration .... and they haven't been.

E85.... bad idea.

Jim
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 07:42 PM
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Even on a 1990+ FI car it's only good maybe once a year for a cleaning. I would not run it more often than that.
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 07:44 PM
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I'm glad I asked!!! Anyone know of a place near Eldorado Hills CA I can some high octane gas?
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 08:09 PM
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Many people confuse E10 gas with E85. The former is 10% ethanol and the latter is 85% ethanol, not 85% gas.

Not many cars other than branded 'flex fuels' vehicles will even run on E85. Best go back to the car parts store and give the kid behind the counter some education, or punch in the head, whichever gets his attention.

Why do you need octane boost for your car? What happens when you run it on straight pump gas?
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Many people confuse E10 gas with E85. The former is 10% ethanol and the latter is 85% ethanol, not 85% gas.

Not many cars other than branded 'flex fuels' vehicles will even run on E85. Best go back to the car parts store and give the kid behind the counter some education, or punch in the head, whichever gets his attention.

Why do you need octane boost for your car? What happens when you run it on straight pump gas?
Thanks!! I've never run the car on anything other than 92 octane from the pump with Lucas octane boost and that seems ok. I know for sure that when the motor was rebuilt in 1992 it was rebuilt to original specs and the compression is 11:1 (327/350) I was thinking that having higher octane would give it better performance.
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 08:52 PM
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Originally Posted by emdoller
I'm glad I asked!!! Anyone know of a place near Eldorado Hills CA I can some high octane gas?
If you have a Reibes NAPA store nearby, you can buy 110 racing gas in 5 gallon cans there. It is, of course, for off road use.

Jim
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by emdoller
I was thinking that having higher octane would give it better performance.
Nope, that's an 'old wives tale' or better yet 'young kid behind the counter at the car parts' myth. If it doesn't ping on pump gas, there's nothing to be gained by using an octane booster or race gas.
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 09:24 PM
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You need stainless steel for everything in the fuel delivery system. Ethanol is highly corrosive to metal, plastic and rubber parts. A lot of modern hi-po cars use it. I have a friend who has a EVO Turbo (500+ hp) at the rear wheels who has converted to it. Its ctane rating is around 105, it burns cooler which means you can boost compression.

The injectors have to be tweaked to change their pulse width (otherwise the engine will run too lean) and there are programs like FlexTek that will allow you to run 10 to 30 percent more fuel through your injectors to accomplish this. This is certainly a lot cheaper than the alternative which is expensive race fuel at $10 p/gallon.

Last edited by Dan Hampton; Jul 10, 2011 at 09:40 PM.
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Old Jul 10, 2011 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by emdoller
I just went into my local auto store to buy octane boost for my 67 with 11:1 compression. The guy told me to use E85 fuel as it's sold down the street.
It's a good thing your parts man is right down the street from the E 85 gas pumps. That way, when you fill up, you can get him to help you push the plug of yours home and drain the tank 'cause it won't run on it.

You'll be lucky to get off the lot.

If your car won't run right on pump premium, fix your engine. There's something wrong with it.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:35 AM
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may have higher octane but gas mileage 20% or worst and as stated ruins cars not modded for it....greenies like al gore suck.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 08:11 AM
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Even E15 comes with a warning that it shouldn't even be used by cars older than 2001.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by emdoller
I'm glad I asked!!! Anyone know of a place near Eldorado Hills CA I can some high octane gas?
Sunoco race fuels:



3066 Royce Dr, Rescue, CA

According to a web search.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 10:45 AM
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Specs on my motor when we rebuilt it (1990) was 11.2:1 copmpression (TRW forged pistons)..... w/stock L79 cam (Crane blueprint), double hump iron heads (2.02 and 1.65) with stock ram horn exhaust. I've never used anything other than premium pump gas (91-93 octane range) and have never had a problem. Octane boost is a waste of money IMHO. Mike M is right when he says:

"If your car won't run right on pump premium, fix your engine. There's something wrong with it".

Good Luck....
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 11:54 AM
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I pulled a holley last night due to a bad float bowl and the gaskets were goo already. They are only 8 months old on this particular carburetor. I was really surprised.

Has anybody used the Ethanol neutralizer, or whatever it is called, that the autoparts stores sell? I just noticed the product the other day at Advance auto parts.
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Godholio
Even E15 comes with a warning that it shouldn't even be used by cars older than 2001.
You have pumps with E15?
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike Ward
You have pumps with E15?

I see above that we now have "ethanol neutralizer. Must be something to go along with the E 15.


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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill32
Sunoco race fuels:

3066 Royce Dr, Rescue, CA

According to a web search.
That would be Steve Klinger. Didn't know he was still in business. He also sells Hoosier tires.

Jim
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Old Jul 11, 2011 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by MikeM
I see above that we now have "ethanol neutralizer. Must be something to go along with the E 15.



Got me, that's just what i saw at advance auto parts. It's supposed to be some sort of treatment for gas with ethanol that is to be used in older cars with carburetors. I am sure it is just a well devised marketing ploy.
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